A near-term definition: VM is the use of manufacturing-based simulations to optimize the design of product and processes for a specific manufacturing goal such as: design for assembly; quality; lean operations; and/or flexibility.

A longer-term definition: VM is the use of simulations of processes to evaluate many production scenarios at many levels of fidelity and scope to inform design (product and manufacturing system) and production decisions.

A near-term definition: VM is the production-based converse of IPPD which optimizes manufacturing processes, potentially down to the physical levle.

A longer-term definition: VM adds analytical production simulation to other integration and analysis technologies to allow high confidence validation of new processes and paradigms.

Control-Centered VM: is the addition of simulations to control models and actual processes, allowing for seamless simulation for optimization during the actual production cycle.
Page 9, Virtual Manufacturing Technical Workshop, 25-26 October 1994, Compiled and Edited by Lawrence Associates Inc.